Shore Patrol: Holidays are happy for 2nd Street merchants

Frank Colonna, president of the Belmont Shore Business Association, said businesses attribute the good tidings to an increase in foot traffic along Second Street, including more tourists from other countries.

"That's good, because it will add to our international reputation," Colonna said following the holiday weekend.

Mixed in with the foot traffic are the students on a holiday break, Colonna said.

"The streets are crowded," he added. "That's a good sign."

One big factor that draws visitors is the variety of independent retail stores on Second Street's shopping district, Colonna said.

"It's nice to have that," he added.

The moderate weather - compared with last year's wintry wet conditions - has helped the business climate, Colonna said.

The association plans on sprucing up the Shore somewhat during the new year, including introducing some new landscaping, installing street lights and finishing a street arts project, Colonna said.

"Belmont Shore will be known as a solid destination location," he predicted.

"It's not New York cold," quipped Gondola Getaway owner Mike O'Toole. He said that business is good during the holiday season.

High tide for pool repairs

A "routine maintenance" project at the Belmont Pool didn't follow the planners' script, but the end result should be a good one - though delayed by a few months.

Earlier this year, city Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine officials decided on a full replacement of the lines beneath the shell of the pool.

The leaking pipe - a 50-year-old cast iron pipe - was replaced with new heavy-duty polyvinyl chloride pipe, which has a 40-year lifespan, according to Sandra J. Gonzalez, manager of the department's Planning and Development Bureau.

City officials expected more pressure on the pool's main drain, which was not repaired during the lines replacement, Gonzalez said.

In an effort to get the pool open quickly, officials decided to delay the main drain repairs until next year.

The main drain held moderately well for about six weeks.

On Dec. 9, however, workers discovered that the lower pool storage rooms began to experience even greater water leaks than they had before, prompting the pool's closure on Dec. 11.

"The pool circulation pumps were shut down Dec. 13, and since that day, we have lost 90 percent of the pool water volume through the main drain leaks," Gonzalez said.

The main drain and its associated plumbing must be replaced before the pool can be reopened. The work began this week, since the pool is now completely dry, Gonzalez said.

A pool contractor will cut and replace the main drain culverts and piping. The workers will dig 6 feet lower than the pool's deepest point in order to make the connections.

Funding will come from Los Angeles County bonds. The cost is estimated at $200,000, and the closure of the pool will last to mid- to late-March, according to Gonzalez.